Thermodynamic Systems

Introduction

AEA licenses a course on thermodynamic systems used by the power generation, HVAC and aviation industries. It is suitable for in-class and online delivery as an undergraduate course by universities or as a professional development course (further explained below).

This is an applied course that focuses on how the systems work and how they can be made more energy efficient. The logical stepwise approaches to analysing thermodynamic cycles are illustrated with many detailed examples.

This practical course is an ideal follow-up to an introductory course in thermodynamics, giving students ample opportunities to apply theories to actual systems. However, no prerequisite is     actually needed - although a first-year physics or chemistry course could be helpful. All of the necessary basic concepts are introduced at the start of the course.


 

Topics

The available topics are listed below. We will customise the course according to the needs and interests of your department.

Introduction
Energy, enthalpy, entropy, and temperature-entropy diagrams
Gas Power Cycles
Ideal Brayton cycle with reheat, intercooling and regeneration
Vapor Power Cycles
Rankine cycle with superheat, reheat & feedwater heaters; cogen 
Advanced Power Cycles
Supercritical, binary and combined cycles                
Psychrometrics
Basic concepts and cooling towers
HVAC - Psychrometrics
Humidification and dehumidification
HVAC - Refrigeration
Gas, vapor compression and multi-stage refrigeration; heat pumps
Jet Engines
Turbojets, turboprops and afterburners                

 


 

Course Delivery

Without any modification, the course can be delivered to students in a traditional in-class format or as an online course. The clear explanations and detailed examples of the lecture slides facilitate at-home online learning. The course is so comprehensive it can effectively teach itself.


 

Benefits for Universities

Revenue Opportunities
This is a versatile multi-use course that offers your organisation multiple revenue streams (described in the next section).
Awarded Faculty
Developed by an award-winning thermodynamics instructor, this is a high-quality course which, if well-presented, can result in outstanding student satisfaction         and award opportunities for your faculty.
Low Maintenance
The comprehensive slides present clear explanations and many detailed examples laid out in logical steps. Instructors can therefore expect fewer emails and requests for after class help.
Sub-contractible
That same comprehensive nature makes this an easy course to turn over to someone with a limited background in the field (e.g., a graduate student) for short periods or subcontracted for a term.              

 

Professional Development Course

The clarity of the curriculum together with no required  background also makes this an ideal professional development course.  Without modification, it can be delivered to professionals in-class or online. Recognising that universities are moving into this lucrative and growing field         of education, we would like to highlight this additional opportunity for academic clients.

This practical course is ideal for engineers and technologists with no background in thermodynamics, or for those looking to refresh or update their understanding of the topic. All of the necessary basic concepts, tailored for the experience of the audience, are introduced at the start of the course.

The course can be delivered in a one- or two-day professional development format, depending on your preference. The longer version is more comprehensive with more topics and worked examples. There is no limit to class size, but ten to twenty students is ideal. The course materials can also be delivered by your company in-house on a licensed basis. 

 

Benefits for Professional Development Students

Savings on operating costs
Designers and operators will be better able to identify the energy and cost savings of various improvements to thermodynamic cycles.
Savings on capital costs
Personnel choosing new systems will be better informed about the many options to optimise power output and use.
Expanded market
Consultants will be able to offer new cost-saving expertise to clients.


 

Deliverables

Lecture slides created with PowerPoint(R);                  
Challenging assignments with solutions;                
Web page for students to access notes (slides), assignments & solutions;
Three-hour exam with solutions and a suggested marking scheme;
Summary sheets for the equations and symbols;                    
Links to reputable fluid property websites & programs used for the course; and               
A set amount of work customising the course.                  

 

Permission has been obtained to use the fluid properties in this course.


 

Contact

Please contact us to discuss how we can customise and schedule this course to meet the needs of your company.